Steve Smith feels that the Australian team’s batting depth would be hugely tested in the absence of injured opener David Warner in the first Test in Adelaide, starting December 17.

The hosts will likely have a new look opening pair in Joe Burns and Marcus Harris following injuries to Warner (groin) and in-form young gun Will Pucovski (concussion).

“Our depth is obviously going to be tested with Davey (Warner) out and few potentially new players coming in. It will test us no doubt against a good Indian outfit,” Smith said at a virtual news conference.

“They beat us out here last time and they’re a very good side. It’s gonna be a great series and whoever’s up there and whoever’s in the team hopefully we will do our job.”

Smith rated the Indian bowling attack highly even though he felt it’s not the “strongest” without senior pro Ishant Sharma, who has been ruled out of the four-match Test series because of a side strain he sustained during the IPL.

“Mohammed Shami has played a lot of cricket, Jasprit Bumrah has played a reasonable amount of cricket and is a quality bowler. In the spin department, whichever spinner they use, be it Ashwin, Jadeja or Kuldeep, they’ve all played a fair bit of cricket now.

“The quicks perhaps haven’t played quite as much but they’re all good bowlers. We’re gonna have to be at our best as a batting group if we’re gonna beat them.”

The series will see Smith’s face-off with Indian pace spearhead Bumrah for the first time in longer formats and he said the key against his awkward action is to be watchful all the time.
“I’m not doing anything specific. I think his skill-set won’t probably change too much. He’s got that awkward action, very different to a lot of people. So you’ve got to be pretty watchful all the time.”

Suspended for his alleged role in the ball-tampering scandal, the former Aussie captain missed India’s last Test series that the Virat Kohli-led side won 2-1 to make it a first in 72 years. “That was the toughest thing to me knowing that I probably could make a difference out there.”

Asked whether Kohli’s absence after the first Test will be an advantage for the Aussies, Smith said it’s a big loss for India but he credited Kohli for the decision.